About the Cloud
At its most basic, cloud computing involves services that are delivered over the internet
(aka "the cloud"). This can include storage, like a folder stored in the cloud that
you can access from your machine; and applications, like the ability to create and
edit a Word document via a web browser.
Advantages
There are numerous reasons you might decide to utilize cloud storage and cloud computing
services:
- Space Saving: Storing content in the cloud frees up space on your machine.
- Security: When files are saved in the cloud, they will be preserved, even if your local machine has a failure; like a harddrive failure, or physical damage.
- Convenience: Files stored in the cloud can be accessed anywhere you have internet access. This is particularly helpful as more people navigate hybrid work environments.
| Cloud Storage | Space | Best Uses | Collaboration | Sharing Outside WSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OneDrive | 1 TB | Your own files, or files where you are to be the primary owner | Yes | Yes, including public links to documents |
| Teams | Up to 25TB | Files that belong to a group of people | Yes | Yes, but no public links to documents |
| SharePoint | Up to 25TB | Files that belong to a group of people | Yes | Yes, but no public links to documents |
Cloud Storage Options Video
Watch this video, from the Academic Resources Conference, for more information about your cloud storage options at WSU.
Cloud Storage and FERPA
For more information about WSU's cloud storage and FERPA policies, please review the link below:
OneDrive is a storage place for all the documents that belong to you. If you have used Google Drive, this is a very similar concept: cloud storage with access to web apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, Etc.
While this is similar to Google Drive, there is one important difference. When you
create a Google account on your own, you are creating a personal account, which does not come with the level of security that you would receive with
WSU's level of Microsoft account (Enterprise level).
Getting Started with OneDrive
If you are interested in getting started with OneDrive, please take a look at this page:
Getting Started with OneDrive at WSU
... and accompanying getting started video, from the 2022 Academic Resources Conference:
OneDrive Training
Want to dive deeper? ITS Applications Training offers live OneDrive Essentials trainings. Visit myTraining to browse for session listings. If you are not familiar with myTraining, here is more information: myTraining Resources
TeamsMicrosoft Teams is a powerful work resource hub, containing a variety of applications,
like chat, calls, calendar/meetings, and so on. One app within Teams is called...
Teams (perhaps confusingly). When you access the Teams app, among other collaboration
tools you can utilize with your coworkers, you are also accessing special shared storage
locations for Team members.
Getting Started with Teams
Want to dive in quickly with Teams?
Setting up Teams on a Mobile Device
Teams Retention Policies at WSU
Microsoft Teams Guides and Help
Teams Training
Interested in a live training? There are currently two live Teams training options with ITS Applications Training: Teams Essentials, and Teams Advanced for Team Owners.
For more information, visit myTraining for listings and details. If you are not familiar with myTraining, here is more information: myTraining Resources
SharePointOriginally marketed as a document management and storage system, SharePoint has a long history dating back to 2001. While many people use SharePoint primarily for document management and storage, it is a highly customizable office tool for setting up inter-organizational processes.
If you used SharePoint in the past and revisit the application today, you may find it is completely different from what you remember... this is because Microsoft recently launched what is called the "modern experience" in SharePoint.
SharePoint and Teams
When you store a document in a Team, you are actually storing it in a SharePoint site. You might even say that a Team is "pretty face" on a SharePoint site. If you are using Teams, you may decide that you never need to visit its corresponding SharePoint site, but there is a lot of configuration and controls that are at your fingertips if you do.
SharePoint Training
Interested in a live training? ITS Applications Training offers two trainings on SharePoint: SharePoint 1: Foundations, and SharePoint 2: Site Creation Basics.
For more information, visit myTraining for listings and details. If you are not familiar with myTraining, here is more information: myTraining Resources